Recently, some students of Isanbi Comprehensive High School, Ilishan-Remo, in Ikenne local government area of Ogun state waylaid and assaulted their teacher, Kolawole Shonuga, at the school gate.
Shonuga was said to have caught a student, Ashimi Adebanjo allegedly cheating during an examination and seized his paper. Enraged that the teacher had the temerity to seize his paper, Adebanjo mobilised his gang who attacked and assaulted the teacher.
For one, the fact that the attack took place at the school gate and in broad daylight shows how daring these students are.
The question on the lips of most right-thinking Nigerians is what gave these secondary school students the impudence to beat up their teacher for stopping one of them from cheating in an examination.
But then, it is sad to note that assaults on teachers by students, sometimes with the collusion of parents, have been a recurring phenomenon in that state. We recalled that in 2021, the state recorded no less than four cases of attacks in different public schools.
For instance, one of such incidents occurred when a 35-year-old Abidemi Oluwaseun invaded Baptist Girls College Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, with thugs to attack a teacher, whom he accused of beating his 15-year-old daughter.
Another incidence of attack and assault was recorded when miscreants reportedly hired by students attacked three teachers including a nursing mother in Unity High School, Kajola Ibooro, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, in 2021.
In yet another sad and equally worrisome scenario, thugs reportedly hired by students attacked teachers in Community High School, Ijoun, in Yewa North local government area.
What gave some secondary school students in Ogun state the audacity to beat up their teacher for stopping one of them from cheating in an examination is the question on the lips of most right-thinking Nigerians.
It is obvious that the latest incident is one in the series of such incidents in Ogun state and perhaps, other parts of the country where teachers have in recent times, been subjected to attacks by students, sometimes, in connection with their parents.
Before now, because of the critical roles they play in shaping characters and imparting knowledge, teachers used to be feared and respected. Why has that changed?
There are a plethora of instances where students, in collusion with their parents or guardians, hired thugs to attack teachers for trying to instill discipline.
How the nation got to a level where students have the nerve to raise their hands against their teachers, is no doubt, a serious source of concern to not just the teachers and educationists, but all right-thinking Nigerians.
Our values which preach the need for utmost respect to elders among other noble qualities that stand out, have been irretrievably washed away. Otherwise, why would a student beat up his or her teacher?
Rather than buckle up to study their books, the students in secondary schools and regrettably, even in primary schools, have taken to cultism, internet fraud and other crimes including smoking and substance abuse.
Tellingly, the rising incidence of drug abuse which is on the increase especially among these school children, is responsible for these attacks among other untoward attitudes being displayed by students towards their teachers.
We cannot afford to have a situation where teachers will be afraid of disciplining students for the fear of being assaulted as witnessed in Ogun state. Beside imparting knowledge, teachers as moral compass, must be in a situation to effectively discipline students when such need arises, without let or hindrance.
As demonstration of its commitment to frontally combat the challenges confronting the education sector and ultimately rescue the sector from total collapse, the government must be firm in enthroning discipline especially in schools.
It is clear that students who assault their teachers under whatever guise lacked good moral upbringing by their parents. Indeed, guardians and parents of such students should also be held responsible.
Now more than ever before, is the time for parents, teachers and indeed, all other critical stakeholders in the education sector to synergize and work towards ending this ugly menace.
For the Ogun case, it is heartening to note that the students have been arrested by the police. They must be made to face the law to serve as a deterrent to others wishing to do them.
Beyond the arrest, the Ogun state government must take a hard stand on this menace which has been recurring in the state. Teachers, wherever they may be, must be guaranteed their safety.
